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Passport-Free Travel: Guam or Bust

Yesterday, we told you about Virgin Island National Park on St. John, and how you can camp there without a passport. Well, the list of places you can go without one of those blue books is pretty short now, but there are still a few destinations left. And not all of them are so obvious and close to home.

We hope you have a passport anyway, but just to get this reminder out there: you can go to Guam without one. Technically, setting foot in Guam (a 9 1/2 flight from Honolulu) is no different than setting foot in Jersey or Texas. It sure feels a whole lot more exotic, though. But you'll need to keep in mind that Guam isn't a typical Pacific paradise: development (many would say overdevelopment) has transformed it. You'll need to get away from crowded Tumon Bay (above) for the most interesting experiences. Lonely Planet (take this with a grain of salt) recommends the Ohana Bayview hotel for a location that's a bit away from the beach.

Your only option for reaching Guam from the U.S. is Continental, and they will ream you--but it will add to the trip cred. Once you're there, try and invite yourself to a real Chamorro fiesta and party away from the Japanese honeymooners and K-Mart groupies. For trip extension, you can continue on to Saipan, also a passport-free option.

Related Stories:
· Continental Micronesia [Wikipedia]
· Passport-Free Travel: Relaxed St. John [Jaunted]